Vanderbilt’s defensive players and coaches hooted and hollered as cornerback Paris Head raced down the sideline on his way to a touchdown after intercepting a Stephen Rivers pass during 11-on-11 drills this week.

It was the sophomore’s turn to shine in what is one of the most heated competitions during fall camp.

In an effort to replace Andre Hal, who was drafted by the Houston Texans, and Steven Clarke, the Commodores have opened up competition at cornerback.

“It’s nasty right now in terms of the corner position,” Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason said. “Nobody is out front and everybody is competing. We’ll play the best.”

Sophomores Torren McGaster, Darrius Sims and Head, along with redshirt freshmen Tre Bell and Taurean Ferguson appear to be the top contenders.

As members of the 2013 recruiting class, all five are good friends.

“We’re all pretty close,” said Ferguson, who had an interception during Friday’s 11-on-11 practice. “We all hang out together every night pretty much, talking about the defensive playbook, how our day went in class and pretty much about our techniques.”

Bell said the group views the competition as an enjoyable experience.

“It’s fun. If you’re competing out here, that’s the only way you’re getting better,” he said. “And Coach Mason is stressing that every day.”

McGaster and Sims have missed practices this week, leaving opportunities for Head and Ferguson to make their cases with big plays.

New Vanderbilt defensive backs coach Brett Maxie, who held the same position with the Titans last season, said the team is in an ideal scenario with the depth they have, in spite of the youth.

“You want to have about five corners that you can depend on because that many is going to play,” Maxie said. “We’re not there yet in terms of letting the (competition to start) pan out, but with a couple of weeks left in camp it’s going to get real critical right at the end to find those guys. I think it is going to take that long because the competition is pretty close.”